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Giardia Lamblia Center - Dothan, AL

Dothan Gastroenterologist Doctors for Giardia Lamblia

Type of Physician: Gastroenterologist

What is a Gastroenterologist?

A subspecialty certification by the Board of Internal Medicine; practitioners focus on the stomach, intestines, colon, liver, and gallbladder (digestive organs). The gastroenterologist treats conditions such as abdominal pain, ulcers, diarrhea, cancer, and jaundice and they consult with surgeons when abdominal operations are indicated.

Specialty: Gastroenterology

Common Name: GI Doctor

Gastroenterologist Doctors in Dothan *

Gastroenterology Associates of Dothan PC
Robert P Albares
480 Honeysuckle Rd
Dothan, AL 36305
(334) 836-1212

Gastroenterology Associates of Dothan PC
Jeffrey J Crittenden
480 Honeysuckle Rd
Dothan, AL 36305
(334) 836-1212

Gastroenterology Associates of Dothan PC
Stavros A Diavolitsis
480 Honeysuckle Rd
Dothan, AL 36305
(334) 836-1212

Gastroenterology Associates of Dothan PC
James L Griffith
480 Honeysuckle Rd
Dothan, AL 36305
(334) 836-1212

Gastroenterology Associates of Dothan PC
Daniel F Jackson
480 Honeysuckle Rd
Dothan, AL 36305
(334) 836-1212

Gastroenterology Associates of Dothan PC
William D McLaughlin
480 Honeysuckle Rd
Dothan, AL 36305
(334) 836-1212

Gastroenterology Associates of Dothan PC
Travis Rutland
480 Honeysuckle Rd
Dothan, AL 36305
(334) 836-1212

Gastroenterology Associates of Dothan PC
Samuel J Tarwater
480 Honeysuckle Rd
Dothan, AL 36305
(334) 836-1212

Robert R Brinson MD
Robert R Brinson
451 St Lukes Dr
Montgomery, AL 36117
(334) 271-1205

Thomas D Bianchi MD
Thomas D Bianchi
80 Herren Hill Rd
STE E
Tallassee, AL 36078
(334) 283-3862

Comm Med Arts Center
Alexander Robbins
875 Friendship Rd
STE F
Tallassee, AL 36078
(334) 283-6460

Internal Medicine Associates PC
George G Gilbert
121 N 20th St
STE 6
Opelika, AL 36801
(334) 749-3385

Internal Medicine Associates PC
W P McGehee
121 N 20th St
STE 6
Opelika, AL 36801
(334) 749-3385

Montgomery Gastroenterology Specialists
Richard E Ginsburg
4146 B Carmichael Rd
Montgomery, AL 36107
(334) 262-3737

Dothan, Alabama

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Giardia Lamblia

What is giardiasis?

Giardiasis (gee-ar-die-a-sis with a soft "G") is an infection of the small intestine that is caused by the parasite, Giardia intestinalis, also known as Giardia lamblia. It is the most common cause of parasitic gastrointestinal disease; it is estimated that up to 2.5 million cases of giardiasis occur each year in the U.S., and up to 20% of the world's population is chronically infected.

Giardia lamblia exists in two forms, an active form called a trophozoite, and an inactive form called a cyst. The active trophozoite attaches to the lining of the small intestine with a "sucker" and is responsible for causing the signs and symptoms of giardiasis. The trophozoite cannot live long outside of the body, therefore it cannot spread the infection to others. The inactive cyst, on the other hand, can exist for prolonged periods outside the body. When it is ingested, stomach acid activates the cyst, and the cyst develops into the disease-causing trophozoite. It takes ingestion of only ten cysts to cause infection. Trophozoites are important not only because they cause the symptoms of giardiasis, but also because they produce the cysts that exit the body in the feces and spread the infection to others.

Cysts of Giardia are present in the feces of infected persons. Thus, the infection is spread from person to person by contamination of food with feces, or by direct fecal-oral contamination. Cysts also survive in water, for example in fresh water lakes and streams. As a result, giardiasis is the most common cause of water-borne, parasitic illness in the U.S.. Domestic mammals (for example, dogs, cats, calves) and wild mammals (for example, beavers) can become infected with Giardia; however, it is not clear how often domestic or wild mammals transmit giardiasis to humans. Giardiasis also has occurred as outbreaks from recreational water sources such as swimming pools, water pa...

Recommended Reading Related to Giardia Lamblia

Endoscopy (Esophagogastroduodenoscopy, EGD) »

What is upper endoscopy?

Upper endoscopy is a procedure that enables the examiner (usually a gastroenterologist) to examine the esophagus (swallowing tube), stomach, and duodenum (first portion of small bowel) using a thin, flexible tube through which the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum can be viewed using a TV monitor.

How do I prepare for endoscopy?

To accomplish a safe and complete examination, the stomach should be empty. The patient will most likely be asked to have nothing to eat or drink for six hours or more prior to the procedure.

Prior to scheduling the procedure, the patient should inform his or her physician of any medications they are currently taking, any allergies, and all of their health problems. This information will remind the doctor whether the patient may need antibiotics prior to the procedure, what potential medications should not be used during the exam because of the pat...

Emergency Contact for Dothan

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Dothan Hospitals *

Southeast Alabama Medical Center
1108 Ross Clark Cir
Dothan, AL 36301
(334)793-8111

HEALTHSOUTH Rehab Hospital of Dothan
1736 E Main St
Dothan, AL 36301
(334)712-6333

Flowers Hospital
4370 W Main St
Dothan, AL 36305
(334)793-5000

Campbellton-Graceville Hospital
5429 College Dr
Graceville, FL 32440
(850)263-4431

Dale Medical Center
126 Hospital Ave
Ozark, AL 36360
(334)774-2601

Medical Center Enterprise
400 N Edwards St
Enterprise, AL 36330
(334)347-0584

Early Memorial Hospital
11740 Columbia St
Blakely, GA 39823
(229)723-4241

Jackson Hospital
4250 Hospital Dr
Marianna, FL 32446
(850)526-2200

Wiregrass Medical Center
1200 W Maple Ave
Geneva, AL 36340
(334)684-3655

Donalsonville Hospital
102 Hospital Cir
Donalsonville, GA 39845
(229)524-5217

Northwest Florida Community Hospital
1360 Brickyard Rd
Chipley, FL 32428
(850)638-1610

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